Arteta Praises Arsenal Fightback In Draw With Southampton
Arsenal dropped two points yet again in a 3-3 draw against Southampton in the Premier League on Friday but manager Mikel Arteta was impressed with how his lads fought back.
Arsenal were 3-1 down at the Emirates Stadium but scored two late goals through captain Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka to claim a share of the spoils.
The Gunners are now five points clear of second placed Manchester City, who have two games in hand. The two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Arsenal's players looked despondent after the final whistle but Arteta took inspiration from the way his boys fought until the end.
"We made it very difficult again for ourselves – mistakes are part of football, but the way we reacted, I love my players more than ever," he told Sky Sports.
"It is incredible. We were on the way back, we conceded again with a sloppy goal but in the end we should have won the game.
"We created enough chances and opportunities, but it didn't happen and we are disappointed.
"You can't concede three goals in this league. If you concede three like we did in a sloppy way it is very difficult to win matches.
"This young team reacts in a way that is incredible. When it is against the odds but the chances they created and the spirit they had it was a joy to watch.
"The message is clear that I love them. We are down and they are more willing than anybody to win it. You can see that spirit and fight in the dressing room."
"It hasn't changed," Arteta added. "Obviously the task is even bigger but now we have to do the simple things better and cut out mistakes and then you will win games.
"The [Man City game] is not a final because there are still six games to go. The concern is turning around these moments especially if the players in some moments are in doubt.
"In football you go through moments when you make errors and are not in a good moment but you have to come away from that.
"I have not seen anybody hiding – the opposite. They are willing to do more and more.
"Today is a good example of the level they can show, how capable they are to play against a different type of opponent. The spirit is incredible and we have to try and do it again."
